The summer transfer window is drawing to a close and managers are working hard to secure last minute deals so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Mateo Kovacic…

Chelsea have agreed an initial loan deal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic with the option to make the transfer permanent for £53.5m next summer, according to Marca via TeamTalk.

Kovacic has been pushing for a move away from Madrid this summer after struggling to force his way in to the first team since joining from Inter Milan in 2015 with the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro restricting him to just 10 starts last season.

The 24-year-old has gone public with his desire to leave in search of regular first team football and TeamTalk claim the Croatian international has refused to train or play for Madrid again in a bid to force a move this summer.

The situation has alerted clubs here in the Premier League as the Sun claim Manchester United were hoping to beat Chelsea to Kovacic’s signature but the midfielder was supposedly reluctant to play under Jose Mourinho.

That’s left Chelsea in pole position to sign the former Inter star and Marca, via TeamTalk, claim that a deal has now been agreed with Madrid and the player for Kovacic to join the Blues on an initial season-long loan deal.

The Spanish publication also says that Chelsea hold the option to make the move permanent for £53.5m [€60m] next summer – which is a lot less than the €80m Madrid had been looking for.

New Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has already splashed out on Jorginho but he admitted last week he wanted another midfielder to compliment the Italian international and N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park.

It seems Sarri has now got his man and the deal for Kovacic is expected to be announced over the coming hours as Chelsea look to wrap-up their third signing of the summer before Thursday’s deadline.